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| No | 37% | 38 votes | Total: 103 votes | |
| Yes | 63% | 65 votes |
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Add to FavoritesThe events in the news over the past several weeks could lead a casual news watcher to the conclusion that the United States is antagonizing Iran. But a longer view of the relationship between the two countries shows otherwise. The US is actually trying to avoid military confrontation, but will also not back away from deliberate challenge.
The governments of United States and Iran have had a contentious relationship since the overthrow of the Shah in 1979 and the seizure of the American Embassy shortly afterward. The United States acting individually and with the concurrence with members of the United Nations and NATO has used diplomatic and economic pressure to restrain Iran's influence in the region. The US diplomatic actions over the past three decades, backed by its use of our Navy in international waters, are intended to hold Iran accountable for its sponsorship of terrorism and actions meant to destabilize the governments of Syria, Israel and Iraq.
Early in his administration, President Bush named Iran as part of the "Axis of Evil" because of its involvement with terrorism over the past decade. In the past several months, President Bush has reinvigorated his pressure on the Iranian government because of clear evidence of their involvement in terrorism and combat in Lebanon, the Palestinian areas and direct support of Iraqi insurgents. Additionally, because of Iran's own pronouncements regarding their desire to attain nuclear weapons and to eliminate Israel from the face of the map' in the words of their President, President Bush has exerted increased pressure on our allies who have influence with the Iranians to assist in curbing both their intentions and capability to do harm to the region.
Throughout President Bush's term, he has publicly called for Iran to turn away from support of terrorism and to end its interference in the conflict in Iraq. News accounts have given the American people very brief glimpses of Iranian involvement, but there is no doubt that it is real and that Iranian actions have resulted in American military casualties There has been ample reason to employ military force to end the Iranian exploits, but we have not taken that step yet.
I believe that the President has shown restraint with Iran, and is actually attempting to avoid armed conflict. Even though our forces are in place and have the resources necessary to engage the Iranians and win militarily, the President has not deliberately tried to engage the Iranians in combat. In fact, the evidence is clearly the other way around: in spite of numerous small incidents initiated by the Iranians that have caused some damage, they have not succeeded in drawing us into combat.
I believe the President is consciously avoiding conflict for two reasons. First, by not responding to the enemy's initiative, he sends the message to them that conflict will be on our terms, not theirs. Second, support for additional conflict by the American people is lacking. Without support of the people and our elected representatives in Congress, the President has only one option to respond militarily only in the case of either a significant attack by the Iranians on Americans or unequivocal evidence that an attack is imminent. Since neither of those has occurred, he is pursuing the wisest course for now: deliberate and measured diplomacy in the face of Iranian challenges.
Learn more about this author, Gary O'Neill.
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Yes
The question posted here asks if it seems as if President Bush is provoking Iran, and the answer is yes, it seems that way. The underlying issue is whether he really is provoking them, planning to attack them, or just talking tough.
Speaking in the United Arab Emirates on January 13, 2008, Bush said Iran is threatening the security of the world. Also, that Iran funds terrorist extremists, undermines peace in Lebanon, sends arms to the Taliban, intimidates its neighbors with alarming rhetoric, defies the United Nations, and destabilizes the entire region. Lastly, he said, "Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terror."
Last May, Vice President Dick Cheney gave a speech in the hangar deck of an aircraft carrier in the Gulf and said that the United States would "stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region." He had fighter jets lined up behind him as a back drop.
These speeches, and many others on the subject of Iran, could be just political rhetoric as far as we in the U. S. are concerned. How they are viewed in the Middle East, and in Iran in particular, is another matter. American troops occupy Afghanistan and Iraq, two countries that border Iran. Last January, Bush ordered a second aircraft carrier battle group into the Persian Gulf. Everyone knows how important the Strait of Hormuz is for controlling oil tanker traffic, and it borders Iran, too. A recent incident between American ships and Iranian boats led to battle stations and more speeches.
The Iranian president, Ahmadinejad, does not really run the country by himself, as many would believe. Being a Muslim country, Iran's religious leaders still wield great power and influence. So, what do Iranian Muslims see in the news? They see American troops torturing and killing prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison. They see American soldiers shooting at Muslims in two countries right next door to them. They hear about our prison at Guantanamo Bay, and how most prisoners there have not been given any trials. They might have heard Bush's Attorney General say the Geneva Conventions are "quaint." They might even learn about how we secretly kidnap suspects and whisk them away to other countries for "interrogation."
Cons idering the language in the speeches and the situation on the ground, it would be logical to think that Iranians do feel "provoked" by us. We have them surrounded on three sides with the most powerful military on earth. We have used that military to invade two Muslim countries on their borders. Even if we think these actions were necessary, and we don't intend to attack Iran, the average Iranian must think we have him in our sights.
Finally there is the matter of whether Iran has an active nuclear weapons program or not. Our recently released National Intelligence Estimate says they do not. George Bush, however, stated that their conclusions don't reflect his views. So, our president criticizes a country's president, ignores intelligence, insists they have a "weapons of mass destruction" program, says they are a country that supports terrorists, and then he increases our military presence on their doorstep. Yes, it is provocation, or worse, part of a plan to convince us to prepare for more war. Somehow it all sounds familiar.
Learn more about this author, Kevin Zahn.
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